genetic code links groups of nucleotides in mRNA to amino acids in a
protein • It allows DNA & RNA sequences to be decoded into aminoacids Codons • Cells decode mRNAs by reading their nucleotides in groups of three, called codons • Most codons specify an amino acid • Three "stop" codons mark the end of a protein (UAA, UAG,UGA) • One "start" codon, AUG, marks the beginning of a protein and also encodes the amino acid methionine
Dr.Sadia Ghousia Baig
Genetic Code Table
Dr.Sadia Ghousia Baig
Characteristics of Genetic code • Degeneracy : every amino acid except MET is represented by several codons • Wobbling phenomenon: Reduced specificity at the last position. Also called 3rd base degeneracy • Unambiguity: a given codon designates only 1 specific amino acid • Universality: in all living organisms the genetic code is same ( few exceptions ) • Commaless : codons are arranged as continuous structure.
Dr.Sadia Ghousia Baig
Anticodon : Sequences of nucleotides that are complementary to codons. They are found in tRNA
• TRANSLATION (Protein Synthesis) Overview
• The ribosomal translation is initiated when the ribosomes recognize the starting point of mRNA, where it binds a molecule of tRNA that bears a single amino acid. • In prokaryotes, the initial amino acid in methionine. during elongation, the second amino acid is linked to the first one. • The ribosome then shifts its position on the mRNA and repeats the elongation cycle. • When the elongation process reaches the stop codon, the amino acid chain folds spontaneously to form a protein. • The ribosomes then split into two subunits, but later rejoin before another mRNA is translated. • Protein synthesis is facilitated by several catalytic proteins which include initiation, elongation, termination factors, and guanosine triphosphates (GTP)
Dr.Sadia Ghousia Baig
Requirements of Translation : • Amino acids • mRNA to be translated • tRNA for each amino acid • Ribsomes (Prokaryotic 70S (50s & 30 s) Eukaryotic 80 S (60 & 40 s) • Energy source (GTP) • Initiation factors • Elongation factors • Termination factors • Aminoacyl tRNA synthetase ( attaches aa with tRNA utilizing ATP, synthesizes amino acyl tRNA or charged tRNA) Dr.Sadia Ghousia Baig tRNA attachment side for aa is its 3 prime end Charged tRNA = attached with amino acid • Anticodon: 3 base nucleotide sequence that pairs with codons on mRNA • Translation steps (initiation, elongation, translocation, termination) • 1st tRNA goes to P site . Then ribosome moves on mRNA ( from 5′ to 3′) • Next charged tRNA comes on A site • Peptide formation is catalyzed by peptidyl transferase • Uncharged tRNA moves from P to E site • Peptidyl tRNA moves from A to P site • Termination occurs when termination codon move into A site recognized by releasing factors which hydrolyze bonds linking peptide to tRNA at P site